Killingworth

Killingworth started life as a small medieval village. In the mid 1700’s the village consisted of a street of cottages and farms with a number of large homes in and around the village for the mine owners and businessmen who were moving to the area. In the late 18th century Killingworth became an important coal mining centre and in 1882 Killingworth colliery had the deepest coal mine in the world. George Stephenson worked as an engine-wright at the West Moor colliery and it was here that he developed his expertise as a locomotive engineer. George's son Robert attended Long Benton Parish School in the 1800's and the family home of Dial Cottage still stands on Great Lime Road. It was designated a conservation area in 1974.